February 28, 2018

STATEMENT GANHRI statement to the 37th session of the Human Rights Council

High-level panel discussion on the seventieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action

2018 marks a number of celebrations of critical importance for all human beings. 70 years ago, a landmark document was adopted setting out for the first-time fundamental human rights to be universally protected, triggering countless achievements in realising human rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) must be celebrated, promoted and protected every day, everywhere.

Building on the UDHR, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action came with the increased recognition of the need to advance human rights at country level. It recognised national human rights institutions (NHRIs) as the important and constructive actor that they are, and encouraged for the first time, the establishment and strengthening of NHRIs in accordance with the “Principles relating to the status of national institutions”, also universally referred to as the Paris Principles.

NHRIs are unique national institutions with a legal mandate to promote and protect human rights domestically in an independent manner. They have a vital role to play in bridging the gap between international human rights standards and the human rights situation on the ground.

This year we celebrate that 25 years ago the General Assembly endorsed the Paris Principles laying the foundations for the world of NHRIs that we know today. The same year, a group of NHRIs decided to create an “international committee”, to coordinate between all national institutions and with the United Nations, and to promote the creation of new national institutions – the birth of what today is known as the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, GANHRI. NHRIs recognized that they can better succeed domestically in their daunting responsibilities by working in unison with their peers, whether regionally or globally.

25 years later, we can look back in pride, and forward with determination. These anniversaries will be an opportunity to celebrate achievements, to reflect on the impact of NHRIs contributions in realising human rights on the ground, and on challenges and opportunities ahead.

GANHRIPalais des Nations, 1211 Genève, Switzerlandwww.ganhri.org

With this spirit in mind, we warmly invite all of you today, to join us in the year-long celebrations to commemorate the endorsement of the Paris Principles and the progress made in the establishment of strong and independent NHRIs and their important contributions to making the Universal Declaration of Human Rights a reality for all.

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